The essential drinks planner for the best New Year’s Eve party

CHRISTMAS is done and dusted — now for New Year’s Eve. Wine writer Tony Love and beer and spirits guru Mike Gribble have released their long-kept secret document for the best party ever — with a warning.

• New Year’s Eve Adelaide party ideas and events

WHO were the geniuses to decide this year’s eves both fell on Saturday nights? They were party animals. Our kind of socialites. True believers in a good time for all. Now we’ve knocked over Christmas Eve, the best is yet to come.

New Year’s Eve is the big kahuna of celebrations and, being a Saturday, we can get to work on it early in proceedings. You need to plan for all eventualities ... good and bad. You’ll need drinks: soft and hard. You’ll need food: healthy and junk. You’ll probably need implements and receptacles for both, but that depends on your crowd. We’ll leave that one to you.

It’s a military-like operation and needs similar strategies. We argue for a 24-hour game plan, starting with a battle outline in the mess, noon sharp, December 31, peaking with serious weaponry at midnight, and not denying the untidy, often ugly but necessary mopping up by noon the next day — no matter what shape the body and soul are in.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

NOON

Start gently. It’s a Saturday. It’s a marathon. First, steel yourself with an ice-cold shot of Prohibition gin. It’s good for you — it has stuff in it like juniper, ginger root, blood orange, ruby red grapefruit, green tea and lemon myrtle, just for starters. Add a squeeze of lime, soda or tonic if you wish.

If gin is a bit stiff upper lip for you at this stage, perhaps a gentler attack might be just the ticket. Note all those citrus ingredients above — they’re refreshing. Sip on an ice-cold riesling if that’s more your inspiration and you’ll get a dose of lime and lemon flavours in the process.

Mount Horrocks 2016 Riesling

Clare Valley $33

This Clare Valley classic offers a little more than straight citrus, with smells of meadow hay and orchard flowers to start before that suck of a lemon quarter and exotic zest of lime. This is, however, a warm summer’s day refreshment that is more than simply razored acidity.
Best if you have a bucket of prawns to nibble away at while you’re sipping away.

1-2PM  
It’s time to think of your long-term health. You’ll want to get a decent 12 more hours of partying in at least, so pre-reward yourself. Blend carrots with a small lump of ginger, hit it with vodka and pare back with a splash of soda for spritz — yum. Looks well-meaning from a distance, tastes slightly wicked close up. It’s also good for you.

Now, let’s get a little serious for a moment. You’re going to be responsible in the service of alcohol tonight, aren’t you?

Rehearse drinking water. Commit this to memory. And, while you’re at it, make plans for ice: laundry tub outside, bathtubs inside. Consider putting a drinks’ mud map on your fridge door to let guests know where they stand.

2-4PM 

Take another break. Collect your coolest New Year’s resolutions and commit them to paper — you’ll have no chance of remembering the best ones when you’re piling dead marines and half-eaten party pies into the rubbish bin the next morning.

To do this, you need to clear your head and cleanse your throat. Crack open a cider. You could opt for something light and breezy, like a Spring Cider Apple and Pomegranate cider, or an Adelaide Hills Sidewood Cider. For extra fruity punch, hunt out a Hugo+Hunter Strawberry Cider. These drinks contain good stuff, such as apples, pomegranates and strawberries.

Spring Cider Co (CUB) Apple & Pomegranate cider

Vic, $15/ six-pack

You could splash a cider of your choice with soda water to pare it back but Carlton & United Breweries have just done it. At a mere 2 per cent alcohol, this will win fans. The pomegranate adjunct is endearing and non-designated drivers might tout its light, easy virtues, too.

This moment of lighter alcohol clarity is a chance to consider those who don’t drink alcohol or need to drive later.

A mocktail mojito.

Scan websites for tasty mid-strength beers and other ciders, and check the drinks cabinet for “mocktail” supplies — you don’t want to be in the queue at the supermarket or bottlo at 5pm.

Your teetotalling guests will love you for this one, by the way, because it looks just like they’re hangin’ loose on a mojito. All that’s missing is the white rum.

Mexican Lime and Mint Soda 

You’ll need 2/3 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves, 8 limes cut in quarters, ½ cup lime cordial, 2 cups ice cubes and 1.25 litres of chilled soda water. Place mint and lime in a large jug. Using the end of a rolling pin, pound until limes are crushed and juiced. Add cordial and ice. Stir to combine. Top with soda water. Serve.

5-6PM 

From mocktails to cocktail hour and, if a dry martini doesn’t suit your bikinis and boardshorts, it’s not too late to blend a green drink of leftover veggies, pineapple juice and a spike of chilli flakes for the metabolism. And a shot of sloe gin in the mix just has to be healthful.

You might want to think about eating now if you’ve been too busy to do so. If your response at this stage is “Oh, crikey, who’s bringing the party food?” then we’re going to need a deep breath, an emergency plan and an exit clause all in one. Otherwise, prep the buffalo wings, get the frozen sausage rolls on to an oven tray and line up the mustard and sauce bottles into battle formation.

7-8PM 

Prep time is over but you’ll need to find the lost stubby-holder collection to keep those Pirate Life beer cans cool while you dash around for last-minute touches. Keep in mind it’s early days, so start out on the mid-to-medium strength gear.

Bridge Road Brewers Little Bling IPA

Vic, $20/six-pack

One of many new beers that allows for that extra one in a session, or helps out the designated driver. Beechworth’s Ben Kraus is another craft brewer lifting flavours in mid-strength beers. More understated than Pirate Life’s Throwback IPA but big on spicy hops, biscuit sweetness and even hinting at molasses tannin — all at just 3.4 per cent abv. A neat little quencher that squeaks out a dry finish.

If the beer drinkers are pacing themselves and you’re more a wino (in a good way), don’t shoot too early — wait until you see the whites of their eyes, as they say in the war manuals.

Bridge Road Brewers Little Bling IPA.

Spring Cider Co. Apple and Pomegranate Cider.

Or, while the sun’s still up, sip on a light and easy sauvignon blanc or — even more fashionably — a pinot gris or grigio. The reds can come later.

Paxton 2016 Pinot Gris

McLaren Vale, $20

Certified organic and biodynamic, so you’re feeling good already, aren’t you? This wine suits a few pours on the balcony as an outdoor location can often mute a delicate style. This, however, is quite expressive and aromatic to start, with a mouth-filling, mid-rich palate to follow, with flavours of apples, lemon juice, zest and a creamy feel to the finish. Very tidy for this part of the evening.

9-10PM  

You’ve had a few and are really kicking the party into gear with your daggy playlist of OutKast, No Doubt and Kylie.

You may as well go ahead and hand out straight-up margaritas to the those in the front line: jigger tequila, half jigger of Grand Marnier or Cointreau, half a jigger of lime juice and a squeeze of lemon juice. Shake all with ice and strain into a glass you’ve wiped with lemon and touched lightly on a salt tray. Good times.

10-11PM  

The party’s swinging, you’re getting shout-outs for how well the Vale Mid Coast Bright Ale cans are going down (and, yes, they really are mid-strength beers). The PG drinkers are looking for something a bit more MA15+, so it’s time to get on to slightly heavier artillery.

The big question is: Do you bring out a few fancy bottles that cost you the same as the kitchen extension, or do you find a bargain that knocks their socks off?

Chapel Hill The Parson 2015 Shiraz

McLaren Vale, $16

This wine won the trophy for best wine at this year’s Great Australian Shiraz Challenge. Commit this fact to memory and shout it out to all those who are crying for a red to smash into the final hours. It’s rich, fleshy, dark-fruited shiraz with the variety’s sexy mix of berry, chocolate and a faint toasting of coconut (that’s the oak treatment talking at you). It’s a great all-rounder, and there’s plenty of mid-palate structure and grip as well so, if you’re cranking up the barbecue for late-night burgers, this is bang on.

11-11.50PM 

Make sure there’s water for the parched, a place to sit and bowl of nachos. While they’re juggling, confiscate car keys.

Step up the music and get to the empties. After you’ve done the rounds, got the injured to safety and begun to prepare for the moment of truth — glassware, fizz on ice, fireworks set up in the backyard (just joking) — there’s still enough time to transition from shiraz to shaboom.

Throw in a big surprise and crack open a sparkling red; at least it’ll separate the stayers from the pretenders.

Chandon Sparkling Pinot Shiraz

Victoria (various), $32

While most sparkling reds are all Aussie shiraz, this is a natural progression to a lighter, fresher methode traditionelle style and absolutely nails it as a great summer nightcap (or kickstart). The aromas are immediately more red-fruited and raspberry toned than many, with a subtle oak waft, the palate medium-weighted, buoyed by a delightful froth, with a pleasing lighter red finish. Now, try to find a bowl of chocolates that has yet to be destroyed and hide in a corner until the clocks start chiming.

11.55PM-MIDNIGHT 

Abandon all other orders and head for the tub of fizz.

Depending on the number of revellers, you’ll need a good Frenchie or two that will be enough to last one verse of Auld Lang Syne.

Don’t despair on the costings; you can do much the same with a great Aussie sparkler, like a Heemskerk Georg Jensen Cuvee ($40).

Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve NV

Champagne, France, $80-$90

When it comes to total champagne pleasure for all tastes, Billecart-Salmon scores. It’s delicate rather than powerful, so will freshen and excite as you sip, kiss and celebrate. It has a delightful lemon curd character mid-palate, lovely citrus lift, crystal-like bubbles and is particularly delicious now — and perhaps from that unused bottle tomorrow morning.

MIDNIGHT-4AM

It’s official. Anything goes. Happy or sad. Dancing or swaying. It’s also time to look back. Or forward.

For some, a whisky will nurture the prevailing philosophy. Or maybe seek out that bottle of St Agnes XO Imperial Brandy you had hiding at the back of the pantry, gather all the stray bubbles and fix yourself a champagne cocktail.

Margarita cocktail.

Bloody Mary.

Champag ne cocktail

You will need 6 white sugar cubes, Angostura bitters (to taste), 2 tablespoons brandy and 1 bottle chilled sparkling wine or Champagne. Place 1 sugar cube in each champagne glass. Drizzle with 4-5 drops of bitters and set aside for 5 minutes to soak. Pour brandy evenly among glasses and top with bubbles.

NEW YEAR’S DAY

10AM-NOON

Raid the vegie patch for Bloody Mary tomatoes that haven’t fried in the sun. Rescue the remaining craft beers in abandoned Eskys. Go for a well-hopped ale — perhaps an IPA to scrape the palate (you’re in no condition to brush your teeth for a few hours yet).

Bloody Mary

But if your head’s sore, you need that Bloody Mary: vodka, ice, tomato juice, two dashes of Tabasco, a squeeze of lemon juice, a celery or carrot stick to stir and chew — and maybe a leftover fresh oyster.

Sit down. Survey the battleground. Job well done. And Happy New Year.